Taking 'Free' out of freeway: L.A. tolls?

January 9, 2008 12:00:00 AM PST

LOS ANGELES (KABC) --

Rush hour toll lanes on three L.A. County freeways could be in place as early as next year.Transportation officials are hoping for a $648 million federal grant to set up the toll lanes and make other improvements.

The first phase of the plan would turn 85 miles of carpool lanes into toll lanes during peak hours, on the 110 between downtown L.A. and the Artesia Transit Center, the 210 between downtown Pasadena and the 605, and on the 10 between downtown L.A. and the 605.

If the grant is approved, the rush hour toll lanes could come by spring of 2009.